The Lowry High School baseball team returned home last weekend for the final time this season to take on Elko for a three-game series that would likely decide whether the Buckaroos would be going to the playoffs this season.
On Friday, Lowry went down 7-3 to Elko.
The Indians jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, and Lowry could not make up any ground as the game wore on.
Ridge Ricketts and Jordan Parker both went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Buckaroos and Garette Hinshaw was 2-for-3.
But four errors on defense seemed to be the difference in the first game of the series.
“We made too many mistakes and left too many guys on base; we shot ourselves in the foot," said LHS coach Andy Harmon.
The first game on Saturday was a 6-4 win for Elko, but the Buckaroos battled it out until the end.
The Indians scored two runs in the top of the first inning, while Lowry answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame to keep it close.
Elko scored single runs in the third and the fifth innings, but the Buckaroos scored two runs in the fifth making it a 4-3 ballgame.
The Indians tacked on another run in each of the final two innings, while Lowry could only muster one more on their way to the second loss of the series.
“We made some errors and gave them some freebies and that hurt us,” Harmon said. “We played from behind the whole game.”
The second game on Saturday was a Lowry success story from every angle.
Lowry senior Jake Marriott missed most of the season due to an knee injury, but on Saturday he came back with a vengeance.
“My knee feels awesome, I feel good,” Marriott said. “It was nice to come out today and throw well for six innings. The coaches didn’t think I would have enough stamina, but I got the win and that is awesome.”
Marriott struck out nine and only allowed four hits on the day.
The Buckaroos scored four runs in the third inning and held on for the win, despite Elko scoring three in the top of the seventh to keep it interesting at the end of the game.
“The seniors did a good job," Harmon said. "That was their game. They went out and got the win. Jake worked hard to get back this season. That was impressive. It was nice to see him get out there and get a win.”
Lowry travels to league-leading Truckee this weekend for its final games of the season.
The Buckaroos have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, after North Valleys beat Churchill County (Fallon) twice this past weekend.
The Northern 3A Regional Championships will be held in Elko on May 9-11.
The top six teams advance to the double-elimination tournament. The top two teams receive first-round byes.
The NIAA State Championships take place May 16-18 at Virgin Valley High School in Mesquite.
The Northern 3A standings are as follows: Truckee 21-3, Spring Creek 18-6, Churchill County 16-8, Elko 16-8, South Tahoe 15-9, North Valleys 13-11, Lowry 10-14, Fernley 8-16, Dayton 2-22, Sparks 0-24.
